New Car/Review

Toyota RAV4 (2001)

by Carey Russ

"Comprehensive" is a good description of Toyota's sport-
utility lineup. The five vehicles included - the RAV4, Highlander,
4Runner, Land Cruiser, and Sequoia - cover a size range from
compact to full-sized. And three, the RAV4, midsized Highlander,
and full-size Sequoia, are brand-new this year.

The RAV4 name is familiar, having graced Toyota's smallest
SUV since 1996. But, with new styling outside, the face is new. As
is everything underneath. A longer wheelbase adds passenger space,
and a new engine adds power with no loss of fuel economy. Lighter
weight also aids performance and economy. The two-door version
of the original RAV4 was discontinued a few years ago, and won't
reappear. The 2001 RAV4 is offered only in four-door form, with
front- or all-wheel drive.

But, as I discovered after a week with a new front-wheel
drive RAV4, the sporty character of the old two-door has been
mixed with the versatility and practicality of a four-door to make a
vehicle that can appeal to many different types of people. The
combination of space, handling, economical operation, and features
like the reclining rear seat backs make it a winner.

APPEARANCE: The second-generation RAV4 is a more
mainstream design than its predecessor, but it is no less distinctive.
Although Toyota says it's "more aggressive" than the old RAV4,
"aggressive" is not really applicable to a small, friendly vehicle in a
class sometimes called "sport-cute." Macho it's not, but it could be
called "playful" or "jaunty", which suits its character just fine. The
new RAV4 has a contemporarily-sculpted two-box shape with a
wedge-like profile suggested by the lower side window line. With
its darkened upside-down trapezoidal grille and pentagonal
headlights, the front has a definite face. De rigueur SUV bumper,
fender flare, and lower side cladding helps give it "the look," and
protects against minor parking lot damage.

COMFORT: The new RAV4 is as stylish inside as outside, but not
at the expense of practicality and versatility. It's relatively narrow,
but tall, with plenty of headroom and good space for four real
people. With its four doors and low step-in height, access is easy.
Up front are sporty-looking and comfortably-padded buckets; rear
passengers have a 50/50 split contoured bench that features fore-
and-aft and back angle adjustment. Each half of the rear seat can be
flipped, folded, or removed, and there is reasonable cargo space
even with both halves in place. For the driver, instrument and
control placement is good, and the instrument panel is enhanced by
sporty black-on-cream gauges with a titanium-look plastic bezel,
and similar trim around the central control pod and door handles.
The tilt-adjustable steering wheel and shift knob are covered with
grippy synthetic materials. Convenience is paramount, with handy
storage spaces around the cabin, a locking glovebox, and trick
adjustable cupholders. The cargo area is accessed by the side-
hinged tailgate, and the liftover height is a low 22 inches. The spare
tire is mounted externally, on the rear door, but it's low enough to
have no adverse impact on visibility.

ROADABILITY: It may look like a small truck, but the new RAV4
feels, rides, and handles more like a car, albeit a tall one. It's solid as
any Toyota, with no flex or truck-like thumpiness thanks to its rigid
unit-construction chassis. On the road, it is comparable in ride
quality and quietness to a small family sedan. Its fully-independent
suspension is compliant and well-damped, and controls body roll and
fore-and-aft motion well. Because of its relatively high stance, body
motion is somewhat exaggerated, but not overly so. If its cornering
abilities aren't quite up to Celica GTS standards, they are better than
those of most SUVs. And the RAV4 has more space and versatility
than a sports coupe. It's offered with front- or all-wheel drive, and is
meant for street or light-duty off-road driving.

PERFORMANCE: Although its horsepower and torque peaks are at
relatively high engine speeds - 148 hp at 6000 rpm and 142 lb-ft at
4000 rpm - the RAV4's brand-new 2.0-liter twincam four-cylinder
engine has great low-rpm power and never stops pulling
enthusiastically, right up to redline. Credit is due its 16-valve design
and VVT-i variable valve timing system, which allow the engine to
breathe well and make smooth, efficient power at all speeds. It beats
the previous-generation engine by 21 hp and 10 lb-ft, and gives the
RAV zippy acceleration, particularly with the standard five-speed
manual transmission. Good shift linkage and a sporty four-cylinder
snarl add a fun-oriented character, and good gas mileage is a plus.
It's not really a sports car, but neither is it a boring utility vehicle.

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